essay about the weather in uae

The weather experiment that really flooded Dubai

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A reckless experiment in Earth’s atmosphere caused a desert metropolis to flood.

That was the story last week when more than a year’s worth of rain fell in a day on the Arabian Peninsula, one of the world’s driest regions. Desert cities like Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) suffered floods that submerged motorways and airport runways. Across UAE and Oman, 21 people lost their lives.

The heavy rain of Tuesday April 16 was initially blamed on “cloud seeding”: a method of stimulating precipitation by injecting clouds with tiny particles that moisture can attach to – those droplets then merge and multiply. As the waters receded, however, a more disturbing explanation emerged.

This roundup of The Conversation’s climate coverage comes from our weekly climate action newsletter . Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 30,000+ readers who’ve subscribed.

Richard Washington, a professor of climate science at the University of Oxford, has seen the inside of a storm. To confirm if cloud seeding really could breed record-breaking rain , he once boarded an aeroplane bound for a thundercloud over the South Africa-Mozambique border.

Read more: Don't blame Dubai's freak rain on cloud seeding – the storm was far too big to be human-made

“Our mission was to fly through the most active part of the storm, measure it, fly through again while dumping a bin load of dry ice, turn hard and fly through for a final measurement,” he says.

“Apart from the fun of flying through the core of a thunderstorm in a Learjet, I didn’t think much about the time I was lucky enough to be part of that project. Until I heard about the recent freak storm in Dubai.”

What caused the flood?

There are no two identical clouds with which to compare the outcome of seeding, Washington says, so it’s impossible to prove if this technique can change the outcome of a single storm. But by flying a lot of missions, half with cloud seeding and half without, and measuring rainfall between the two, meteorologists eventually showed that cloud seeding did modify rain rates in some storms.

That’s not what caused Dubai’s floods though.

“It turns out the UAE has been running a cloud seeding project, UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, for several years. Their approach is to fire hygroscopic (water-attracting) salt flares from aircraft into warm cumuliform clouds,” Washington says.

“So could seeding have built a huge storm system the size of France? Let’s be clear, that would be like a breeze stopping an intercity train going at full tilt. And the seeding flights had not happened that day either. The kind of deep, large-scale clouds formed on April 16 are not the target of the experiment.”

For Washington, the more relevant atmospheric experiment is the one each of us is engaged in everyday.

“The interesting thing is that humans have a hard time coming to terms with the fact that 2,400 gigatonnes of carbon (our total emissions since pre-industrial times) might make a difference to the climate, but very readily get behind the idea of a few hygroscopic flares making 18 months worth of rain fall in a day.”

The experiment of our lives

A hotter atmosphere holds more moisture, which can fall as rain. Although last week’s deluge was unusual, the Arabian Peninsula does tend to receive more of its precipitation in heavy bursts than steady showers.

The latest assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) did not predict future rainfall trends for the region but did say global heating is expected to make such violent downpours more frequent and severe.

What is likely to kill more people as temperatures rise in this part of the world is not water, but heat. Tom Matthews (Loughborough University) and Colin Raymond (California Institute of Technology) are scientists who study the shifting climate and its effect on our bodies .

Read more: Global warming now pushing heat into territory humans cannot tolerate

Throughout human evolution, the wet-bulb temperature (how hot it is when you subtract the cooling effect of evaporating moisture, like sweat on your skin) has rarely, if ever, strayed beyond 35°C. At this threshold the air is so hot and humid that you cannot lower your temperature to a safe level by sweating. You overheat and, without urgent medical aid, die.

“The frequency of punishing wet-bulb temperatures has more than doubled worldwide since 1979, and in some of the hottest and most humid places on Earth, like the coastal United Arab Emirates, wet-bulb temperatures have already flickered past 35°C,” Matthews and Raymond say.

“The climate envelope is pushing into territory where our physiology cannot follow.”

Alarmed by how fast we are making the climate unlivable, some scientists have called for emergency measures. Peter Irvine, a lecturer in earth sciences at UCL, proposes dimming the sun by pumping microscopic particles into the upper atmosphere to reflect some of its rays.

Read more: Why dimming the Sun would be an effective tool in the fight against climate change

Trying to mimic the cooling effect of a volcanic eruption but on a permanent basis (until, presumably, greenhouse gas concentrations can be returned to safe levels) is another gamble with the atmosphere. These layers of gases that surround our planet have nurtured life by keeping temperatures stable and harmful radiation out.

Irvine acknowledges that keeping Earth artificially cool this way is risky, but argues the side effects – like altered wind and rainfall patterns, acid rain and delayed ozone layer recovery – “pale in comparison to the impacts of climate change”.

Catriona McKinnon, a professor of political theory at the University of Reading, has other concerns about attempting to manage solar radiation this way, including the question of who has the right to regulate the global thermostat.

Read more: Time is running out on climate change, but geoengineering has dangers of its own

As humanity contemplates another large-scale experiment in our atmosphere, there is another, even bigger one, waiting to be resolved. Its solution is simple: stop burning fossil fuels.

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What caused Dubai floods? Experts cite climate change, not cloud seeding

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India began voting in the fifth phase of its mammothgeneral elections on Monday, with seats in the financial capital Mumbai and the opposition's Gandhi family bastions set to be sealed in the last few legs of the seven-phase vote.

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What is UAE weather like?

Living in uae.

UAE falls in the desert-subtropical weather pattern, as it lies on the Tropic of Cancer

Weather is key to a person’s sense of wellbeing. We do not give it much importance in our day-to-day existence, but international studies have shown that extreme weather events can trigger what is called ‘eco-anxiety’. So, it’s best to be aware, especially if you are coming to a new land to live and work.

Tropic of Cancer

UAE falls in the desert-subtropical weather pattern, as it lies on the Tropic of Cancer. Summers are hot and humid, winters are cool with occasional rain. Many like to believe that there is spring and autumn, but that works more as a transitional phase from winter to summer, and summer to winter.

Season of summer

Summer is usually from May to October – a good six months, with the hottest being June, July and August. In fact, during these months temperatures soar above 45°C and are known to touch 50°C.

For outdoor workers the UAE authorities have issued a rule called ‘mid-day break’ of no work from 12.30 to 3pm, in June, July, August and September. Companies that violate this rule are fined Dh5,000 per person found working outdoors up to a maximum of Dh50,000, directly under the sun during the designated break hours. - Weather rules for outdoor workers in the UAE

As expected it is blistering but most people spend their entire day within the cool confines of air conditioning, hence it does not have a major impact. And the infrastructure of the UAE ensures this across all Emirates.

For outdoor workers the UAE authorities have issued a rule called ‘mid-day break’ of no work from 12.30 to 3pm, in June, July, August and September. Companies that violate this rule are fined Dh5,000 per person found working outdoors up to a maximum of Dh50,000, directly under the sun during the designated break hours.

The big thing is usually that days are longer, sunset is much later compared to winter. So, in fact you have the privilege of natural light for much more time in the day. Many people spend their weekends at the beach during summer.

During the summer season, a low pressure area develops over parts of the UAE bringing in dusty winds from Saudi Arabia. These winds, also known as Shamal (north) in Arabic, become gusty and strong. They move the desert sand in great walls and greatly reduce visibility.

People are cautioned to use face masks during this or not to venture out too much.

As evening comes in during the summer, temperatures drop by several degrees to about 38°C. The comfort factor is most impacted by the humidity, which is quite high during the summer months – can almost reach 90 per cent. So, staying hydrated is vital.

As summer loses its strength and November approaches, you can see the transformation around you. Trees and flowers begin to perk up more, with outdoor activities ramping up. People spend time outdoors, pets are out and people make the most of the change.

Winter is here

November is also the month that the first of the proper seasonal rainfall appears. And temperatures plummet to below 20°C. There is a nip in the air and the woolens come out. Some of the Emirates even receive hail.

But, overall temperatures still hover in the early twenties. As December rolls in, the days are cooler still and the nights quite cold. A lot of outdoor events are hosted in the winter, especially the Dubai Shopping Festival. You will get some days of heavy rain and strong winds in this month, which is awaited with much anticipation by all.

November is also the month that the first of the proper seasonal rainfall appears. And temperatures plummet to below 20°C. There is a nip in the air and the woolens come out. Some of the Emirates even receive hail. - Winter in the UAE

January is the coldest month of the year, with temperatures well below 20°C and there is definitely snow in the mountains. The cold is quite sharp but absolutely fantastic to explore the outdoors. Camping is a huge favourite with many residents.

February and March sees the temperatures rise a bit to about the early and mid-twenties. But, it is still great to catch the last of the opportunity to spend long hours outside. April sees the temperatures rise a bit and the humidity starts to increase – the country is preparing for the onset of summer. And then you get a splash of April rain, which drops the temperatures for a bit. A kind of goodbye from a long winter and short spring.

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Dubai’s Extraordinary Flooding: Here’s What to Know

An international team of researchers found that heavy rains had intensified in the region, though they couldn’t say for sure how much climate change was responsible.

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By Raymond Zhong

Scenes of flood-ravaged neighborhoods in one of the planet’s driest regions stunned the world this month. Heavy rains in the United Arab Emirates and Oman submerged cars, clogged highways and killed at least 21 people. Flights out of Dubai’s airport, a major global hub, were severely disrupted.

The downpours weren’t a total surprise — forecasters had anticipated the storms several days earlier and issued warnings. But they were certainly unusual.

Here’s what to know.

Heavy rain there is rare, but not unheard-of.

On average, the Arabian Peninsula receives a scant few inches of rain a year, although scientists have found that a sizable chunk of that precipitation falls in infrequent but severe bursts, not as periodic showers. These rains often come during El Niño conditions like the ones the world is experiencing now.

U.A.E. officials said the 24-hour rain total on April 16 was the country’s largest since records there began in 1949 . And parts of the nation had already experienced an earlier round of thunderstorms in March.

Oman, with its coastline on the Arabian Sea, is also vulnerable to tropical cyclones. Past storms there have brought torrential rain, powerful winds and mudslides, causing extensive damage.

Global warming is projected to intensify downpours.

Stronger storms are a key consequence of human-caused global warming. As the atmosphere gets hotter, it can hold more moisture, which can eventually make its way down to the earth as rain or snow.

But that doesn’t mean rainfall patterns are changing in precisely the same way across every part of the globe.

In their latest assessment of climate research , scientists convened by the United Nations found there wasn’t enough data to have firm conclusions about rainfall trends in the Arabian Peninsula and how climate change was affecting them. The researchers said, however, that if global warming were to be allowed to continue worsening in the coming decades, extreme downpours in the region would quite likely become more intense and more frequent.

Hot oceans are a big factor.

An international team of scientists has made a first attempt at estimating the extent to which climate change may have contributed to April’s storms. The researchers didn’t manage to pin down the connection precisely, though in their analysis, they did highlight one known driver of heavy rain in the region: above-normal ocean temperatures.

Large parts of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans have been hotter than usual recently, in part because of El Niño and other natural weather cycles, and in part because of human-induced warming .

When looking only at El Niño years, the scientists estimated that storm events as infrequent as this month’s delivered 10 percent to 40 percent more rain to the region than they would in a world that hadn’t been warmed by human activities. They cautioned, however, that these estimates were highly uncertain.

“Rainfall, in general, is getting more extreme,” said Mansour Almazroui, a climate scientist at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and one of the researchers who contributed to the analysis.

The analysis was conducted by scientists affiliated with World Weather Attribution, a research collaboration that studies extreme weather events shortly after they occur. Their findings about this month’s rains haven’t yet been peer reviewed, but are based on standardized methods .

The role of cloud seeding isn’t clear.

The U.A.E. has for decades worked to increase rainfall and boost water supplies by seeding clouds. Essentially, this involves shooting particles into clouds to encourage the moisture to gather into larger, heavier droplets, ones that are more likely to fall as rain or snow.

Cloud seeding and other rain-enhancement methods have been tried around the world, including in Australia, China, India, Israel, South Africa and the United States. Studies have found that these operations can, at best, affect precipitation modestly — enough to turn a downpour into a bigger downpour, but probably not a drizzle into a deluge.

Still, experts said pinning down how much seeding might have contributed to this month’s storms would require detailed study.

“In general, it is quite a challenge to assess the impact of seeding,” said Luca Delle Monache, a climate scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, Calif. Dr. Delle Monache has been leading efforts to use artificial intelligence to improve the U.A.E.’s rain-enhancement program.

An official with the U.A.E.’s National Center of Meteorology, Omar Al Yazeedi, told news outlets that the agency didn’t conduct any seeding during the latest storms. His statements didn’t make clear, however, whether that was also true in the hours or days before.

Mr. Al Yazeedi didn’t respond to emailed questions from The New York Times, and Adel Kamal, a spokesman for the center, didn’t have further comment.

Cities in dry places just aren’t designed for floods.

Wherever it happens, flooding isn’t just a matter of how much rain comes down. It’s also about what happens to all that water once it’s on the ground — most critically, in the places people live.

Cities in arid regions often aren’t designed to drain very effectively. In these areas, paved surfaces block rain from seeping into the earth below, forcing it into drainage systems that can easily become overwhelmed.

One recent study of Sharjah , the capital of the third-largest emirate in the U.A.E., found that the city’s rapid growth over the past half-century had made it vulnerable to flooding at far lower levels of rain than before.

Omnia Al Desoukie contributed reporting.

Raymond Zhong reports on climate and environmental issues for The Times. More about Raymond Zhong

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F.A.Q.:  Have questions about climate change? We’ve got answers .

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Desert city of Dubai floods as heaviest rainfall in 75 years hits UAE

City records more than 142mm of rain in a day, about as much as it expects in a year and a half, as highways and malls flooded

Highways and malls have been flooded, schools have been closed, and flights disrupted at one of the world’s busiest airports after the United Arab Emirates experienced what the government described as its largest amount of rainfall in 75 years.

At least one person was killed, a 70-year-old man who police said was swept away in his car in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the UAE’s seven emirates.

Footage from Dubai international airport showed passenger jets moving through deep water, spraying water in their wake, while photos captured city streets turned to rivers, with cars sitting abandoned in flood waters.

One man called the situation at the airport “absolute carnage”. “You cannot get a taxi. There’s people sleeping in the metro station. There’s people sleeping in the airport,” the man told Associated Press on condition of anonymity in a country with strict laws that criminalise critical speech.

Despite the widespread impact, authorities have remained tight-lipped on the extent of the damage.

The rains began on Monday night and by Tuesday evening more than 142mm (5.59in) had soaked the desert city of Dubai – normally the amount it gets in a year and a half.

Heavy rain also fell in Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman, where rescuers found the body of a girl in Saham, bringing the death toll in the country to 19 since Sunday.

In an average year, there is 94.7mm (3.73in) of rain at Dubai international airport, the world’s busiest for international travel and a hub for the long-haul carrier Emirates. On Wednesday, it said it had experienced “significant disruption”.

EgyptAir suspended flights between Cairo and Dubai until the conditions improve.

Paul Griffiths, the airport’s CEO, said the situation remained incredibly challenging. “In living memory, I don’t think anyone has ever seen conditions like it,” he told the state-owned talk radio station Dubai Eye. “We are in uncharted territory.”

Some media reports suggested the rains may have been made worse by cloud seeding, a common practice in the dry Emirates to encourage clouds to produce precipitation by releasing salt particles into the air, often using planes. The salt released in cloud-seeding operations helps water droplets to form, increasing the chance of rain.

However, the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), which oversees cloud-seeding operations in the UAE, told CNBC that no missions had been dispatched for seeding operations before or during the turbulent weather episode.

Omar Al Yazeedi, the deputy director general of the NCM, said: “We did not engage in any seeding operations during this particular weather event. The essence of cloud seeding lies in targeting clouds at an earlier stage, prior to precipitation. Engaging in seeding activities during a severe thunderstorm scenario would prove futile.”

Maarten Ambaum, a professor of atmospheric physics and dynamics at the University of Reading, said he had spoken to meteorologists at the NCM who had denied cloud seeding had taken place.

“Cloud seeding, certainly in the Emirates, is used for clouds that don’t normally produce rain … You would not normally develop a very severe storm out of that,” he said, adding that it would be “totally pointless” to try to seed clouds that were already likely to produce downpours. “Even if you did go out, there is no way you could find a measurable difference.”

He added: “In the 50s and 60s, people still thought about using cloud seeding to produce these big weather events, or change these big weather events. This [has] long been recognised as just not a realistic possibility.”

Rain is unusual in the UAE but occurs periodically during the cooler winter months.

Homes were flooded and vehicles were abandoned on roadways across Dubai, and authorities sent tanker trucks into the streets to pump away the water. Many roads and other areas lack drainage given the rarity of regular rainfall.

شاهد.. ارتفاع منسوب المياه بمطار #دبي #منخفض_الهدير pic.twitter.com/8gswSzbJKJ — العربية الإمارات (@AlArabiyaUAE) April 16, 2024

The major shopping centres Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates experienced flooding, and there was ankle-deep water in at least one Dubai Metro station, according to images posted on social media.

Lightning was seen flashing across the sky, occasionally touching the tip of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

The NCM in a post on X urged residents to “take all the precautions … and to stay away from areas of flooding and water accumulation”.

The UAE government media office posted on X that the downpours were an “exceptional” climate event.

صور الرادار ثلاثية الأبعاد لحركة تكون السحب #أمطار #أمطار_الخير#المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد 3D Radar images of cloud formation over the area #rain#national_Center_of_Meteorology pic.twitter.com/NBYkFL1Gsn — المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@ncmuae) April 16, 2024

Schools will remain closed in Dubai until next week, authorities said, underscoring the difficulty of the clean-up, and the government extended remote working for its employees.

The weather system had already caused floods across Bahrain and left 19 people dead in Oman, including 10 schoolchildren swept away in a vehicle.

Human-caused climate breakdown is supercharging extreme weather across the world, driving more frequent and more deadly disasters from heatwaves and wildfire to floods. At least a dozen of the most serious events of the last decade would have been all but impossible without human-caused global heating.

Extreme rainfall is more common and more intense because of human-caused climate breakdown across most of the world. This is because warmer air can hold more water vapour. It is most likely that flooding has become more frequent and severe as a result.

Ambaum said the world should expect more extreme weather events. He said: “We have been saying for several decades now that in a changing climate we will probably get more of these kinds of severe events, and indeed this is happening.”

Associated Press and Agence France-Presse contributed to this report

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• Extreme weather
• Middle East and north Africa

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Dubai submerged in floods as UAE gets over a year’s worth of rain in hours

By the end of Tuesday, more than 142mm (5.59 inches) of rain had soaked Dubai over 24 hours.

Heavy thunderstorms have lashed the United Arab Emirates (UAE), dumping more than a year and a half’s rain on the desert city-state of Dubai in just a few hours and flooding major highways and its international airport.

The rains began late on Monday, soaking the sands and roads of Dubai with some 20mm (0.79 inches) of rain, according to meteorological data collected at Dubai International Airport. The storms intensified at about 9am (05:00 GMT) on Tuesday and continued throughout the day, dumping more rain and hail onto the overwhelmed city.

Keep reading

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By the end of Tuesday, more than 142mm (5.59 inches) had soaked Dubai. An average year sees 94.7mm (3.73 inches) of rain at Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel and a hub for the long-haul carrier Emirates.

At the airport, pools of water lapped on taxiways as aircraft landed. The airport ended up halting arrivals on Tuesday night and passengers struggled to reach terminals through the floodwater covering surrounding roads.

Dubai International Airport acknowledged on Wednesday morning that the flooding had left “limited transportation options” and affected flights as aircraft crews could not reach the airfield.

Emirates said it was suspending check-in for passengers from Dubai International from 8am until midnight on Wednesday because of operational challenges resulting from the incessant rain.

“Recovery will take some time,” the airport said on the social platform X. “We thank you for your patience and understanding while we work through these challenges.”

Police and emergency personnel drove slowly through the flooded streets of Dubai, their emergency lights shining across the darkened roads. Lightning flashed across the sky, occasionally touching the tip of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. The city’s driverless Metro network also saw disruptions and flooding.

Fujairah saw the heaviest rainfall

Schools across the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms, largely shut before the storm and government employees were mostly working remotely. Many other workers also stayed at home, although some ventured out, with the unfortunate finding themselves stranded in deeper-than-expected water after the water stalled their vehicles’ engines.

Authorities sent tanker trucks out into the streets and highways to pump away the water, but some homes were also inundated forcing residents to bail them out.

The country did not offer any information on the overall damage. In Ras al-Khaimah, the country’s northernmost emirate, police said one 70-year-old man died when his vehicle was swept away by floodwater.

Fujairah, an emirate on the UAE’s eastern coast, saw the heaviest rainfall on Tuesday with 145mm (5.7 inches) falling there.

Authorities cancelled school and the government instituted remote work again for Wednesday.

Rain is unusual in the UAE, an arid, Arabian Peninsula nation, but it does occur periodically during the cooler winter months. Many roads and other areas lack drainage given the lack of regular rainfall, causing flooding.

Rain also fell in Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

In neighbouring Oman, a sultanate that rests on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, the country’s National Committee for Emergency Management said at least 18 people had been killed in heavy rains over the past few days. Among the dead were 10 schoolchildren who were swept away in a vehicle with an adult.

Rulers from across the region sent their condolences.

Climate Change and Its Impacts on the UAE Report

Introduction, indicators of climate change, impacts of climate change on environment and sustainable development, impacts of climate change on public health, efforts to address climate change risks, recommendations.

Climate is the overall weather condition of a region, recorded over a period of 30 years. On the other hand, climate change refers to variations in the standard weather conditions of a place. The terms global warming and climate change are used interchangeably (Toprak, Hamidi, Toprak, & Sen, 2013). Nevertheless, it is imperative to appreciate that there is a distinction between the two. Global warming refers to the increase in the universal standard temperature closer to the earth’s surface. In other words, global warming is one of the components of climate change. Climate change has devastating impacts across the globe.

Data from the World Health Organization shows that climate change will contribute to over 250,000 deaths annually between 2030 and 2050 (Toprak et al., 2013). Currently, the rise in temperature in the Arctic is contributing to the melting of the ice sheets. It is estimated that if this trend continues, the ocean level will rise by at least four feet by the end of the 21 st century (Toprak et al., 2013, p. 8). The increase in ocean temperatures is subjecting coral reefs to the threat of extinction. It will have catastrophic impacts on marine species. This paper will discuss climate change and its effects on the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Brisk population growth, exploitation of natural resources, and high demand for energy are some of the factors that have contributed to climate change in the UAE. Numerous indicators are used to evaluate the magnitude of climate change in the region. They include precipitation, temperature, and change in sea level. As per Greenwood (2014), “UAE has a desert climate, with very mild winters and sweltering and sunny summers, in which the humidity of the Persian Gulf makes heat unbearable” (p. 144).

The region does not receive substantial rainfall. The annual precipitation does not exceed 100 millimeters (Greenwood, 2014). The storm is mostly witnessed during winter. The rains are scarce and occur as downpours or showers. The UAE comprises seven emirates. However, the most famous emirate in Dubai as it contains modern buildings and is a significant tourist hub. Dubai experiences low temperatures in January, which goes to as low as 19.5 0 C (Greenwood, 2014).

On the other hand, the region is hot in August with the temperature going to as high as 36.5 0 C (Greenwood, 2014). The long-range weather forecast indicates that the majority of the coastal areas in the UAE are at the risk of being submerged due to the rise in sea level. The forecast suggests that climate change might result in 2% of Sharjah, 8% of Ajman, and 5.9% of Umm Al Quwain being submerged by 2100 (Greenwood, 2014). The sea level will continue rising if people do not take initiatives to address the forces contributing to climate change.

Climate change impacts both environmental and developmental sectors in the UAE. The most affected ecological sectors include the groundwater, coastal zones, marine, and air. Climate change is bound to result in water scarcity across the UAE. Forecasts indicate that the rainfall will decrease by at least 15% in the next 50 years (Coles & Riegl, 2013). In return, the region will experience a decrease in groundwater due to a lack of sufficient recharge.

Climate change is posing a significant threat to marine life, particularly coral reefs and mangrove swamps (Coles & Riegl, 2013). The increase in salinity and water temperature is affecting the growth of coral reefs. Coral bleaching is widespread along the coastline due to high heat (Coles & Riegl, 2013). Moreover, the rise in sea level and increased temperatures have affected the growth of plankton, which serves as food for fish. The increase in sea level is threatening the survival of the mangrove ecosystem (Bellard, Bertelsmeier, Leadley, Thuiller, & Courchamp, 2012). Research indicates that the sea level rises at a rate of about 3.22 millimeters annually (Bellard et al., 2012). Coastal cities like Dubai are at risk of getting submerged in the future.

The rise in temperature has intensified the need for cooling systems in most industries and residential buildings. The UAE will not manage to meet the demand for energy in the future (Li, Yang, & Lam, 2012). Moreover, climate change will lead to an increase in the cost of power and hinder energy security (Li et al., 2012). Climate change poses a significant threat to food security in the UAE. The country relies on importing food from other countries. Its climate does not facilitate agricultural production. Insufficient rainfall, limited arable land, and the high-temperature lender the country unproductive (Bellard et al., 2012).

Indeed, the UAE’s agricultural production caters to less than 1% of the national gross domestic product (Bellard et al., 2012). The country will continue to rely on food importation in the years to come. The increase in temperature has led to the rise in the sea levels, thus hampering the growth of the real estates and housing along the coast (Bellard et al., 2012). Sporadic floods that are attributed to climate change have impacted the safety of the beach, therefore discouraging potential real estate investors.

The earth’s physical and ecological systems have significant impacts on public health. Today, the UAE records a high number of deaths associated with heatwaves and other severe weather conditions (Teather et al., 2013). The development of urban centers and tarmac roads have led to the emergence of the “heat islands”, which contribute to people suffering from heat stress (Teather et al., 2013).

The accumulation of particulate matter and dust has led to a high number of people suffering from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Furthermore, “variations in temperature, precipitation, and humidity have influenced biological organisms and the processes linked to the spread of infectious diseases” (Teather et al., 2013, p. 12). Cases of dengue fever, malaria, and other air-borne diseases are on the rise due to ecological disturbances.

The UAE has come up with a strategic plan aimed at helping it to conserve the environment and mitigate the dangers of climate change. It has enacted a National Climate Change Plan intended for ensuring that the UAE embraces green sources of energy by 2050 (Treyer & Bauer, 2016). According to Treyer and Bauer (2016), the plan seeks to assist the UAE to achieve sustainable economic growth, minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and realize climate pliability. The UAE has also enacted policies like the National Green Development Strategy aimed at transforming the economy (Treyer & Bauer, 2016).

The fight against climate change should be a concerted effort between the government and the private sector. The primary challenge lies in encouraging the private sector to embrace the fight against climate change. The government has introduced incentives to encourage private institutions to participate in environmental conservation by manufacturing green products and adopting clean energy.

Climate change is a significant challenge across the globe. The UAE is located in a desert environment that encounters numerous problems attributed to climate change. The region receives rain during winter. The rise in sea level is putting the coastal cities at the danger of being submerged. The reduction in the amount of rainfall has led to the scarcity of groundwater in the UAE. Moreover, an increase in the temperature of the seawater is posing a threat to the survival of marine species and mangroves.

The high demand for cooling systems in residential buildings and industries will result in the UAE facing energy problems. Variations in humidity, precipitation, and temperature have created an environment that supports the spread of vector- and air-borne diseases. Additionally, the accumulation of particulate matter has led to people suffering from cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. The UAE is implementing policies to mitigate climate change. The government has launched a campaign aimed at diversifying the economy and embracing green energy.

The primary cause of climate change is human activities. Thus, the UAE requires coming up with ways to coordinate efforts amid the different entities that contribute to climate change. The government should fund research and educate the public on the importance of environmental conservation. It would be hard for the UAE to realize environmental conservation goals in isolation. Therefore, it should liaise with other countries in the region to ensure that they also play their roles.

Bellard, C., Bertelsmeier, C., Leadley, P., Thuiller, W., & Courchamp, F. (2012). Impacts of climate change on the future of biodiversity. Ecological Letters, 15 (4), 365-377.

Coles, S., & Riegl, B. (2013). Thermal tolerance of reef corals in the Gulf: A review of the potential for increasing coral survival and adaptation to climate change through assisted translocation. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 72 (2), 323-332.

Greenwood, S. (2014). Water insecurity, climate change and governance in the Arab world. Middle East Policy, 21 (2), 140-156.

Li, D., Yang, L., & Lam, J. (2012). Impact of climate change on energy use in the built environment in different climate zones – A review. Energy, 42 (1), 103-112.

Teather, K., Hogan, N., Critchley, K., Gibson, M., Craig, S., & Hill, J. (2013). Examining the links between air quality, climate change and respiratory health in Qatar. Avicenna, 2013 (1), 9-13.

Toprak, F., Hamidi, N., Toprak, S., & Sen, Z. (2013). Climatic identity assessment of the climate change. International Journal of Global Warming, 5 (1), 1-17.

Treyer, K., & Bauer, C. (2016). The environmental footprint of UAE’s electricity sector: Combining life cycle assessment and scenario modeling. Energy Reviews, 55 (1), 1234-1247.

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IvyPanda. (2020, October 27). Climate Change and Its Impacts on the UAE. https://ivypanda.com/essays/climate-change-and-its-impacts-on-the-uae/

"Climate Change and Its Impacts on the UAE." IvyPanda , 27 Oct. 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/climate-change-and-its-impacts-on-the-uae/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Climate Change and Its Impacts on the UAE'. 27 October.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Climate Change and Its Impacts on the UAE." October 27, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/climate-change-and-its-impacts-on-the-uae/.

1. IvyPanda . "Climate Change and Its Impacts on the UAE." October 27, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/climate-change-and-its-impacts-on-the-uae/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Climate Change and Its Impacts on the UAE." October 27, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/climate-change-and-its-impacts-on-the-uae/.

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United Arab Emirates

Explore historical and projected climate data, climate data by sector, impacts, key vulnerabilities and what adaptation measures are being taken. Explore the overview for a general context of how climate change is affecting United Arab Emirates.

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Climatology

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This page presents United Arab Emirates's climate context for the current climatology, 1991-2020, derived from observed, historical data. Information should be used to build a strong understanding of current climate conditions in order to appreciate future climate scenarios and projected change. You can visualize data for the current climatology through spatial variation, the seasonal cycle, or as a time series. Analysis is available for both annual and seasonal data. Data presentation defaults to national-scale aggregation, however sub-national data aggregations can be accessed by clicking within a country, on a sub-national unit.  Other historical climatologies can be selected from the Time Period dropdown list. 

Observed, historical data is produced by the  Climatic Research Unit (CRU)  of University of East Anglia.  Data  is presented at a 0.5º x 0.5º (50km x 50km) resolution.

The UAE has an arid desert climate with only two main seasons, winter and summer separated by two transitional periods, respectively. The winter season (December to March) has a mean temperature ranging from 16.4°C to 24°C. The first transitional period (April to May) is distinguished by variability and rapid change in weather. 

Temperatures start to increase gradually over most regions during this period. The mean temperature during this season ranges from 26°C to 33.5°C. The summer season (June to September) is characterized by extremely high temperature which can be expected to climb up to 50°C, especially over the southern parts. Mean temperature during this season ranges from 32°C to 37.2°C. Summer rainfalls tend to be lower, particularly along the coastal areas, away from the mountains. The second transitional period (October to November) has a mean temperature ranging from 24°C to 30°C. Rainfall is sparse and inconsistent in the UAE. The country averages between 140 – 200 mm of rainfall per year, with some mountainous areas experiencing up to 350 mm/year. The UAE is also prone to occasional, violent dust storms, locally known as shamal winds. 

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The Weather in Dubai

Discover the best time of year to travel to the famous emirate city. Find out the weather for different seasons of the year and plan your trip for the ideal moment.

The weather in the United Arab Emirates is subtropical and dry . Rain is a rare occurrence and doesn't follow a regular pattern.

Winter in Dubai

Between December and February, the temperature in Dubai fluctuates between  14ºC and 25ºC which makes it the best time to travel. February is the rainiest month with an average of four wet days.

Summer in Dubai

Summer in Dubai is generally understood to be the period which runs from May to October. During these months the average temperature varies between   25ºC and 40ºC, but can reach a maximum of 48ºC on the hottest days of July and August. The chances of rain are almost non-existent.

The best season to travel to Dubai

If your trip is for tourism and you can choose the date to travel, we recommend booking your holiday during the months of January and February. However, November and December are also good months. From April in Dubai, the temperature starts to become very hot.

The beaches can be enjoyed all year round, although in winter the sea water is not so warm.

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Although the official language of Dubai is Arabic, the large majority of its inhabitants can speak English without difficulty. Especially those that work in the tourism sector.

The official currency in Dubai is the dirham of the United Arab Emirates (Dh o AED). One dirham is worth 100 fils and the current exchange rate is 1 dirham to €0.9 euro or $1.1 USD approx.

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UAE weather: Chance of rainfall, temperatures on the rise

It will be humid by night and friday morning over some coastal and internal areas.

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The day will be fair to partly cloudy and low clouds appear over some eastern areas with a chance of rainfall, the National Centre of Meteorology has said.

Light to moderate winds will blow, freshening at times causing blowing dust.

Temperatures could be as high as 31ºC in the country. Mercury is set to rise to 29ºC in Abu Dhabi and 28ºC in Dubai.

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However, temperatures could be as low as 17ºC in Abu Dhabi and 18ºC in Dubai and 7ºC in mountainous regions.

It will be humid by night and Friday morning over some coastal and internal areas. Levels will range from 45 to 90 per cent in Abu Dhabi and from 55 to 90 per cent in Dubai.

Conditions at sea will be slight to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and slight to moderate which may become rough at times in the Oman sea.

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The road will be partially closed from May 19 to June 9

3 Dubai Metro stations to reopen today

One station is scheduled to return to service next week, after 'all necessary maintenance and testing jobs have been completed'

UAE: Doctors urge residents to monitor mild pains before they become major injuries

Individuals that are physically active tend to ignore mild pain, considering it a normal part of exercise or sports

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Weather in the UAE

The weather tends to stay similar amongst all of the areas, save Al Ain. If it’s scorching and bone dry in Dubai then it’s likely to be scorching and bone dry in Ajman. This is because most of the areas touch on the coast of the Gulf and the country is relatively small.

The further inland you go is basically more desert, here the climate varies slightly: the nights are cooler in winter and the air is slightly less humid in summer.

In certain areas you can find dust storms, which are not too desirable, however this is something one just needs to accept. Interestingly the mountainous region of Ras al-Khaimah has had snow only two times since weather records began.

The UAE is sometimes humorously described as only having 2 seasons, the hot season, and the really hot season. Basically winter and Summer.

The nice season: Winter

This season lasts from October to April and is the most pleasant time to visit the UAE, the heat is not unbearable and it can actually be quite nice. Be wary of the night time temperatures, as they can drop during the winter. During the morning hours temperatures drop as low as 10°C. This can then shoot up during the day time to highs around 27°C to 28°C.

Rain is more commonly found in these months; however do not expect huge amounts, on average it rains about 10 days a year in the UAE.

The not so nice season: Summer

Life can be made slightly difficult during the summer months due to the extreme heat. These months generally last from June to September and maintain a constant temperature and humidity even into the night time, with only a slight dip.

Almost every day you can expect temperatures to reach over 40°C almost every day and never really drops below 30°C. Humidity can be very high with a 90% air saturation due to the proximity of the Gulf which brings with it an almost suffocation salty sea air, making most people stay indoors in the air conditioning.

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UAE weather: Two more days of rain and fog

Crisis team held meeting this week to discuss response plans.

Water flooding the streets due to recent rain in Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National

The UAE is braced for two more days of wet weather, with fog expected to roll in on Sunday.

The country has been hit by torrential rain , hail, thunder and lightning this week, prompting some schools to be shut and roads to be sealed off.

More downpours are expected on Friday, with a chance of further rainfall on Saturday, forecasters said.

Meanwhile, authorities convened this week to discuss emergency measures during the wet weather.

The Abu Dhabi Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Team was chaired by Fares Al Mazrouei, commander-in-chief of Abu Dhabi Police.

The meeting concluded with approved weather response plans, while the need for emergency teams to collaborate during the adverse conditions was emphasised.

The National Centre of Meteorology said skies would be overcast on Friday with more rain on the way, particularly in coastal, northern and eastern areas.

The winter chill will continue to bite, with daytime temperatures set to drop to 18°C in Dubai on Friday.

The mercury could plunge to as low as 7°C in Al Ain on Friday evening.

The weather centre, in its latest five-day bulletin, said there was a prospect of rainfall during the day on Saturday.

The NCM said there was a “probability of fog or mist formation” on Sunday and Monday.

A week of wet weather

Dubai Police said the force received more than 15,000 calls to its emergency number from Wednesday into Thursday, many due to accidents on the roads.

After roads were affected in the emirate in the heavy rainfall on Wednesday evening, the Roads and Transport Authority posted messages online on Thursday morning detailing closures that would affect residents.

The Ministry of Education said government-run schools could initiate e-learning, first introduced during the pandemic, if they wished.

Many private schools in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates moved online.

The country's labour authority, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, which regulates private sector companies, said employers must “ensure the safety of their employees”. This would include allowing them to work from home when needed.

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